India is a country that occupies most of South Asia. It is the seventh-largest in the world in terms of land area and the second-most populated. India has a diverse culture rooted in a rich history of migration and intermarriage. A remarkable part of its storied past is Yoga, which started over 5,000 years ago in the northern region of the country.
Like all other exercise programs, yoga is good for the body. It can lower cholesterol, increase flexibility, and improve stability. But beyond burning the calories and toning the muscles, yoga is equally beneficial to the mind. It reduces stress and anxiety, helping its students relax and break through previously unknown mental barriers.
Yoga is a complete workout program for both the mind and the body. This is what sets it apart from hundreds of other fitness routines. It also makes teaching yoga much more challenging.
If you want to teach yoga effectively, it is not enough to know all the poses and the stances. You must be able to engage your students and connect with them on an emotional level for your classes to be effective.
Few opportunities in India’s fitness industry are as fulfilling as teaching yoga. If you’re considering it as a career, then you are in for a very meaningful experience.
Here are some of the qualities you must possess to lead a yoga class effectively. If you feel you’re not ready, you can always take help from an institute that offers Yoga Teacher Training in India.
Have a Passion for Yoga
If you are going to teach yoga to a group of eager students, then you must be able to match their enthusiasm and energy. Additionally, this is the level of commitment that is expected from you, day in and day out. Every class, the students will be looking to you for direction and goal-setting.
Your students will be able to see if you are uninterested or disengaged, and this would affect their own performance during class. You must set the bar high in terms of effort to make your classes engaging and effective. To consistently have an energy level this high, you must have a passion for yoga.
Show Your Compassion
While your passion will inspire your students to always bring their best in class, your compassion will help you connect with them at an emotional and spiritual level. If you choose to go for Yoga Teacher Training in India, you will come across various techniques that will help you connect with your students better.
This is very important in yoga as its main draw among students is mental and spiritual wellness. It is not enough to command their attention as you direct their movements during class. You must be able to create an environment where your students feel accepted and safe.
Come Prepared for Every Class
Some teachers come to class and let intuition dictate their style of teaching. Others have a specific plan in mind. While both approaches are acceptable, what is important is to come to class mentally and emotionally prepared.
For your students to get the spiritual experience that is characteristic of yoga, you must be able to focus entirely on the moment and not be distracted by external happenings. If you want your students to give their full attention to class, you must set the tone for them.
Enjoy the Silent Moments
Effective communication is key for your students to understand your instructions, and this is one of the many things you will learn from Yoga Teacher Training. But while your voice is an essential tool for your classes to be effective, you must also recognise that your students need moments of silence for the spiritual and mental effects of the class to sink in.
If you are new to teaching yoga classes, it is normal to feel anxious if your class is silent and misread it for lack of interest. However, experience will show you that overdoing instructions may be distracting to students and defeat the purpose of doing yoga. Learn to choose your moments. Give your class directions when needed, and enjoy the comfortable silences.
Be Open to Suggestions
Being the teacher does not mean that you have to make all the decisions. There are times that the students would want something done a bit differently. Be open to these suggestions and avoid having a “tunnel vision” when teaching.
However, do not allow your students to make the same mistake in class and do everything their own way, focusing on specific moves and neglecting others. An effective yoga class is one that nurtures a healthy collaboration between the teacher and the students.
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